Mary Virginia Lance

Mrs. Mary Virginia Lance, 80, of Morrison, Tennessee passed away on February 27, 2026. She was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky on September 1, 1945. She was preceded in death by her parents William Pauley and Elizabeth Brown Pauley, her husband, Bennie C. Lance, and a brother, Jay Pauley and a sister, Delma Hawkins.

She is survived by two sons, Bennie “Shannon” Lance of Edmund, Oklahoma and William “Scott” Lance of Morrison Tennessee, a brother, Bill “B” Lance, grandchildren, Alyssa, Brandon, and Hailey, also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and their families.

She was born in an area known as the Cumberland Gap. This was in the Appalachian Mountains where the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia all joined. There was a pass through the mountains that allowed travelers to make their way westward during the expansion from the eastern states. Where she was raised in Rose Hill.

As a young lady she went to live with her sister in Michigan. It so happened; her future husband and his family had moved to Michigan when he was two years old. That was when a Kentucky girl and Tennessee boy crossed paths in Michigan. They fell in love and married in 1965. They were blessed with the birth of two sons. Bennie was a native of Bradyville, Tennessee. He never lost the love and connection to Cannon County, so it was inevitable that they would wind up back in Cannon County at some point.

While the boys were young, they enjoyed many camping trips and family picnics. During the summer for Labor Day, they had an annual tradition of attending a family reunion in Woodbury with Bennie’s family. She and Bennie joined a bowling league together as another outlet to spend time together as a family. After high school graduation, Shannon joined the Air Force and became a decorated veteran of the 1st Gulf War. While in school Scott leaned into his athletic side. He played football in junior high and high school. She encouraged and supported her sons and was a devoted wife.

She and Bennie were thrilled when the grandchildren started being born. It gave them immense joy to be a part of the next generation of their family. After working for 30 years with GM Bennie retired and felt the call of Cannon County. They found a little farm and set about making it their own. Mary enjoyed working the soil with a flower and vegetable garden. She also kept herself busy canning, sewing, and quilting. She always had a love for animals. Her passion led her to raise Rottweiler’s. Nurturing and loving them gave her great contentment. Her best buddy, Max, was at her side during the waning moments of her life. He was the most affectionate and loving dog of her last litter when her husband died.

Prior to Bennie’s death in 2015 they were able to celebrate a great milestone, 50 years of marriage. The family can reflect on their lives with gratefulness for the example and legacies. Carrying those lessons in love into to the next generations.

Her request was to be cremated and to be joined with her husband in a special location. The family will hold a private service to honor her wishes. Share condolences and stories at www.gentrysmithfuneralhome.com Gentry-Smith Funeral Home, 303 Murfreesboro Rd. Woodbury, TN 37190, 615-563-5337. Because every life has a story.